Doha: HE Speaker of the Shura Council Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim affirmed Qatar's dedication to enhancing the social dimension of sustainable development, reflecting the directives of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The hosting of the Second World Summit on Social Development underscores Qatar's commitment to investing in people and institutions as a national priority, translating into fair and sustainable policies.
According to Qatar News Agency, HE Speaker Al Ghanim highlighted the role of the Shura Council in supporting social development through legislation, recommendations, and monitoring national plans, with a focus on education, health, youth empowerment, and women's participation. These were discussed during the Parliamentary Forum titled "Investing in People and Institutions: The Role of Parliamentarians in Social Development," organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union in collaboration with the Shura Council.
HE Al Ghanim emphasized that social development is a moral commitment essential for building stable societies, warning of global challenges such as economic shifts and social divides. He called for comprehensive social policies centered on people and urged parliamentarians to ensure public policies meet the needs of populations, acting as a trust bridge between governments and societies.
The Speaker also underscored the ethical responsibility of supporting Palestinians and communities deprived of basic social development rights, urging parliaments to advocate for these rights. Challenges related to poverty and inequality require prioritizing investment in human capital and institutions.
HE Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Martin Chungong, stated the importance of international parliamentary cooperation in promoting sustainable development. He highlighted the role of parliaments in linking international commitments with national implementation and emphasized the challenges of inequity and declining social solidarity.
The forum included a session on "Building Bridges for Inclusive Development," moderated by HE Youssef bin Ali Al Khater, with contributions from notable figures discussing the role of parliaments in implementing SDGs and enhancing youth and women's participation in decision-making.
HE Dr. Hamda bint Hassan Al Sulaiti, Vice-Chair of the IPU Executive Committee, praised the partnership between the IPU and the Shura Council. She emphasized the forum's focus on investing in human capital and the importance of multilateral partnerships in achieving the SDGs.
The forum aimed to unite parliamentarians and stakeholders to discuss human capital investment and expand collaboration to find effective solutions. It is part of the Second Global Summit on Social Development in Doha, with participation from global parliaments and organizations.
The Tashkent Declaration, adopted at the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, reaffirmed the global commitment of parliaments to prioritize social development in their legislative agendas.